Mar201127

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Spelt bread loaf

I’m sure all parents know that children these days have awesome power. They know how to woo themselves into their moms’ and dads’ hearts while other times twist their arms. When it comes to food, especially healthy food, my children know they will always win. In order to earn other favours from me, they are always very smart to ask for healthy food prior to that….instant win….how smart! But of course I apply my dagger-like stare when it’s unreasonable favour. Even the cats will pretend to go to sleep…haha.

It has come to a point where I need a pair of ear plugs. My girls have been pestering me endlessly to make own bread…..white loaf. Yes, white bread loaf and not others. They still remember the bread that I made for them when they were young. They said that was the best bread that they had ever eaten. Yes, BEST! But that was about 10 years ago!! I don’t even remember what recipe I used. Headache…headache….*sigh*.

Recently I was out and decided to have something in a cafe. I only want something light so I ordered soup and a bread roll. My gosh…the bread roll was so hard. I had to apply much strength to break off a piece! I could have thrown it against the wall and it would have flown back immediately and knock me off the chair! Unbelievable. I think with a sling, I can kill Goliath with it! Well, I know, I need to work out my biceps first and train for accuracy, too. Otherwise I will kill the wrong guy…haha

Well, I went home, frustrated and determined to get out my stuff to make my own bread, at last. For one thing I know I will make my girls very happy. I looked through a few bread recipes and thought I would make wholemeal buns. I know it’s not what they want but I thought it’s healthier. I’m prepared to be screamed at. I took a recipe and adjusted the flour used. The bread buns came out well but now I can’t find my copied recipe….arrrrggghhh!!! How careless! Where have I kept it? I must have accidentally thrown it into the bin while cleaning up. Why didn’t I copy it into my recipe notebook? So sorry that I can’t share with you the recipe. Worse, I can’t even make them again. I don’t even know which recipe I used. Blame it on my age…..haha.

Wholemeal bread buns

The wholemeal bread buns came out soft and delicious but the aroma, texture and taste are still not there yet. But it’s a thousand times better than the one at the cafe! My girls were very excited when they heard finally I was making bread but when they saw it was not what they expected, there’s a look of disappointment that caused my heart to sink. Realising it, they hugged me and said, “Mom, we still like it very much. Only that the white loaf you made before was just the best ever.” I fully understand what they meant. The taste, aroma and texture of that white bread loaf is unforgettable. I remember a friend of mine dropped by that day and she ate half a loaf in one sitting!!! That speaks louder than words.

Well, my bread making didn’t end there. I proceeded to make a white bread loaf using spelt flour for a healthier version. It’s my first time using spelt flour. I got the recipe from Kenwood. I made a very slight adjustment to it. Many people who can’t tolerate the normal wheat flour are able to take spelt flour. Spelt flour are higher in nutrients. I always buy the spelt flour and the wholemeal spelt flour from Sainsbury.

Here is my Healthy Spelt Flour Bread Loaf recipe:

Ingredients A
1 packet instant yeast
1t honey
200g warm water

Yeast mixture

Mix the honey and water in a bowl. Add the yeast and leave it to froth for a few minutes. I know you can just add the yeast straight to the flour but I love to see the yeast grow. It also gives me the feeling that the dough will rise faster though I am not sure whether this is true. Maybe those who make bread often are able to enlighten me on this.

Put all Ingredients B into a mixing bowl and add the frothed yeast mixture. Mix well. I used a cake mixer. Spelt flour doesn’t need a lot of kneading. The dough looks rather liquid. I actually wondered whether it will turn out. I decided to leave it aside to rise.

Risen bread dough

It did rise to double after a couple of hours. But it doesn’t look like bread dough as you can see.

Beautiful spelt bread loaf

Well, I just had to put to bake…..my heart thumping hard. Keeping my fingers crossed. It took about 40 minutes to bake at 200 degrees Celsius. Wow…..it turned out nice and well…..happy me!

Spelt bread loaf

Only that it was more dense……more country like bread. It’s very filling though. My girls liked it. We had it with carrot and leeks soup. But of course you know what they said, “The white loaf you made last time is still the best ever!!”…..hmmmmm. Now, hope that recipe will come out in my dream, or maybe in your dream….*wink*. By the way, this loaf is also very delicious spread with butter and jam, especially when it is fresh and hot from the oven.

Now for those who are not into blogging yet or are still considering, my advice is not to think further. Just start! I never regret that I started blogging. I only regret that I didn’t start earlier. How happy each time to see my recipes all very organised in one place for me to refer and also for my girls. It also brings much joy to hear from readers who tried my recipes and liked them. It also gives me lots of incentives to try new recipes. Hope you have as much fun cooking, baking and eating like me. Do join in the fun of blogging if you have not.

My girls didn’t get to eat these because I made them when I was away. But I know, and you know by now, what they would say, “The white loaf you made last time is still the best ever!!” Gosh, these words are going to stay long in my mind after repeating it a few times. Maybe I should turn that into a poem or a song…haha

Quote of the day…..

“Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and a richness to life that nothing else can bring.”

Omg, this post made me smile and giggle (while shaking my head everytime you said (say it with me now Mary), “The white loaf you made last time is still the best ever!!”. I hope that wasn’t Miss. Sharon because I’m going to have to have a few words about this with her in my next email. Lol. Your children are so lucky to have you for a mom. Look at all this amazing food you have on this blog. Your bloggie is like my cooking bible/inspiration. When I don’t know what to make, I just open up your recipes page. Thank you so much for sharing all these recipes for the more cooking challenged —> (aka) me.

Your bread turned out beautifully. I like my bread more dense, but then fluffy and hole-y is good too so I can optimize my butter spreading with those holes :-P. Either way, bread rocks with butter! Funny that you posted this today because I spent 6 hrs learning how to make many many different breads with Valerie @ A Canadian Foodie. I just gotta find different ways of eating all that bread now.

Totally agree with you about blogging. My only regret is not starting earlier as well. If you’re thinking about blogging, just do it! The beautiful friends you’ll meet along the way is priceless. Makes me want to travel the world just to meet every single one of you. Mark my words though my dear, one day we will meet. Hopefully soon! Thank God for blogging. Without that, I never would’ve met you or Sharon. Hopefully another Miss. Moh will join in the fun? Until that day, I’m happy to be stalking two Moh’s for now :-D. Great to see you back, Mary!

I love the smell of a baked bread. That is the reason why I started making bread. And although I was intimidated by yeast at first, I think now I have started to establish a very good relationship! Your bread looks exactly how I want my breads to be!Perfect!

Ya, best to make own bread. Those from the shops - full of preservatives. I don’t know howto make…but luckily I am not so much into eating bread so buying once in a while, not so bad. But over there, I’m sure more health-conscious - some places may sell preservative-free organic bread?

Homemade bread is the best, Mary.
The one you had at cafe might have been over days, so it’s hard to break a piece off from it.
Not only can you bake soft and yummy breads, but also tell funny stories. Give me a good relaxation before going to bed. Thank you, Mary. ：）

I don’t even know how spelt flour is different from regular-wheat? I think my neice makes a lot of this. I know it is good for you! Your description of the hard cafe roll had me almost rolling on the floor with laughter!! I read it to my husband and we both got a good laugh.

I have never tried spelt flour but your story made me laugh; raising children is challenging and wear one’s patience, thank God it is rewarding at the end. The bread you made looks like it has the prefect crumb, soft and fluffy to boot.

you should name this Healthy Heart Sunk Bread, but then, no one would ever make it huh? - too bad about the recipe, I know what you mean, so many times I make a new recipe and forget to write every thing down - cannot ever duplicate it again…so sad… your bread looks amazingly good despite not being perfect like you want, but I know you, you will perfect it…

I love making bread. My kids love eating bread with soups. Sorry about your lost recipe, that’s the worst that can happen to a good one! I’m sure you’ll find another fantastic one. There are thousands out there, you’ll just need some time!

aren’t kids great?lol a lost recipe, I feel your pain I have lots many in a hurry to clean out drawers and regret being too busy, a lovely loaf..I need to bake more bread, you and denise have it down ..perfect!
sweetlife

@Belinda @zomppa - I wish I can put it right in front of you so that you can do it…haha

@aipi - Thanks very much, Aipi! Have fun baking

@LeQuan - Haha….my misery amuses you…..good, too Well, both my girls say that…..hmmmm. Oh wow……checking out my recipes for ideas? You just make me smile. I thought only I myself do that! I wish I could join Valerie in bread making, too. I badly need to learn more. I think making bread is very tricky. Hope I can come out with perfect loaves and rolls soon.

Of course I am just so happy that blogging leads me to many friends all over the world….you being one of the amazing ones. Let’s see who visit who first Hope not too long to wait.

Hope my other girl will start blogging. But she is just too busy with her sports. Bet you and her will have lots to talk. I will just sit and listen I had fun reading your comment…..makes me smile.

@Jeannie - Yes, it will make a very filling sandwich

@TasteHongKong - No, it’s not pillow soft. I wish it is. But it’s good for soup. Hope I can find my recipe. If only I have a magic button

@anncoo - Oh, you are very lucky to have a bread machine. I can’t afford another big kitchen gadget in my kitchen. No more space for it…haha

@Priya - Thanks very much, Priya!

@somewhere in singapore - If only I can bake you a loaf!

@Katerina - Yes, I love the smell. It’s so wonderful when the whole house smells good of fresh bread. I need to bake more. Thanks very much for your encouragement

@Lubna Karim - Thanks very much, Lubna!

@suituapui - Totally agree with you. The ones in the shops are always added with improvers to make them soft, even organic bread. We don’t eat a lot of bread, too. That’s why I am not really into bread making. But every now and then my girls crave for it. But still I am not there yet. More bread making to come

@divya - Thanks very much, Divya!

@claire - Come and I will bake more

@Christine@Christine’s Recipes - Oh, that makes me sick to know that they served old bread! I have never eaten such hard rolls. The hard rolls that I ate elsewhere look fresh and taste good. Haha….lovely to know my post entertained you. Hope you did not dream about me throwing hard bread rolls at some people….haha

@Mary - Thanks very much, Mary! You are always very encouraging. I will bake more bread

@Mimi - Haha……now I will laugh too when I see or make bread

@Suman Singh - Thanks very much, Suman! Spelt flour is a better flour. Give a try if you can find it at your place.

@mycookinghut - Thanks very much!

@Swathi - Thanks very much, Swathi!

@Nadji - Thanks very much, Nadji!

@Ginny Hartzler - Spelt flour is more delicate but more nutritious. It’s the wheat flour that people used long, long time ago. Haha…lovely to know both you and your husband had a good laugh

@Velva - Haha….ya, I should take that hard roll as a blessing in disguise. At least it provoked me to start making my own bread

@5 Star Foodie - Thanks very much, Natasha! Have fun baking bread

@Kankana - Thanks very much, Kankana!

@tasteofbeirut - A million % in agreement with you…..raising children is challenging! Takes lots of cooking and baking to stay sane…haha…cos it’s very therapeutic, both for me and for them But they are fun, too. They drive me up the wall and often bring me down to earth…haha

@sushma - Thanks very much, Sushma!

@Drick - What a name for my bread…haha. Maybe no one will want to eat You make me feel good that I am not the only one who lost recipes….hehe. Yes, I have to perfect my bread. More baking to come!

@kitchen flavours - Wow….you must be very good in bread making by now. I have lots to catch up

@sweetlife - Haha…I think kids make us cry and make us laugh also You make me feel good that I am not the only one who lost recipes…hehe

@noobcook - Thanks very much! Wait…my girls are still waiting for that white loaf that they say is the best ever! I will have to try again.

@Blackswan - Haha….wait till you know me more and you will know that I am not that hardworking as what you think I think having to cook or bake is easier than wearing ear plugs everyday…haha You are an amazing cook. I love all your dishes and the presentation. I don’t have such patience like you. I need to learn from you!

Mary, you’re definitely right about the blogging thing. How I wish I could have start earlier! I have missed out so many joy & fun. Eventhough I’m not good at all in my writing but have never regret a single bit. Your bread looks as nice & sweet as you. Looking forward for more to come. Enjoy your week ahead.
Kristy

Mary I can smell your bread through my screen. I’ve never used spelt flour before and don’t think I’ve seen it in any of the supermarkets I visit. May be I will have to search it in health stores. BTW, I always make the yeast separately to be sure that it is still active.

I’m sure you will recall your best white loaf recipe soon as you have started making bread now. I love making bread than cake because it is healthier. Never try spelt flour before. Maybe I should give it a try too.

faye on March 29th, 2011

Hello Mary,
Thank you for sharing your recipes & stories. I am just taking a break in between jobs, so I have some time to do things that I like. On bread, it is indeed finicky, if that’s the right word. I usually get the better results when the temperature is warm outside. However, if the desire hits me, I would also make the dough in the winter months.
The trick is to have a softer dough and long proofing, to get the nice aroma. If I don’t have time, I will proof the dough overnight in the fridge, and take it out to leave it in the room temperature to rise further. It is true that an oven light will do the trick, and leaving the dough ontop of the fridge, but this is like hurrying up the proofing time, and the flavour does not develop as much. Try using cold spring water, and long time proofing, see if it works better. Alternatively, make a sponge (about 10%) of finished product and add to new dough, to enhance flavour. Hope this helps.
Faye

I agree with your kids….white bread taste better, but spelt is much healthier!!! It looks so moist ! I kinda always afraid of introducing new type of flour to my bread making, it is tough to adjust the measurement

Loved reading about the British Museum post, the drool worthy brownies, and seeing the interesting museum photos, as well.
Your bread is so beautiful, soft, and delicious, with the perfect crunch on the top.
Thanks for sharing!
Also love your daughter’s whoopie pies…so pretty, and yummy!

I’m simply not a baker but I do love my visits to the family farm where they make bread all the time. There really isn’t a more pleasant & homely smell is there than bread just about to come out of the oven. Using spelt flour is also something I’ve not worked with. Great post., thanks for sharing

@Rosanne - Wonderful to know you love baking. 250g of water = 1C. So, 200g of water = slightly less than 1C, or 4/5C…..you are correct. And you are right, you can use 1 & 1/2T for the 20g oil. Have fun baking!

Bread came out great. I did use 2 cups of spelt and 1/12 cups bread flour. (I wasn’t sure how heavy it would be using all spelt flour.) I also added 3 teasp. of vital wheat gluten and about a 1 TBL spoon of ground flax seed. mmmm mmmm. Going to make a BLT sandwich tomorrow with our first ripe tomato. Gotta love summer! Enjoy!